Tow bar with 2" ball coupler has stainless steel, telescoping arms that automatically lock into place. Large hookup radius allows you to connect without perfectly lining up your vehicle. Quick-disconnects make it easy to attach to base plates. Lowest Prices for the best tow bar from Roadmaster. Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar - Car Mount - 2" Ball - 6,000 lbs part number RM-501 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 800-298-8924 for expert service.

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Roadmaster Tow Bar
- RM-501

Coupler Style

6000 lbs

Roadmaster - Crossbar Style

Telescoping

Roadmaster

Standard

Steel

Stores on Car

Tow bar with 2" ball coupler has stainless steel, telescoping arms that automatically lock into place. Large hookup radius allows you to connect without perfectly lining up your vehicle. Quick-disconnects make it easy to attach to base plates.

This Roadmaster tow bar has a large hookup radius to ensure simple, secure hookup. What this means is that, even if your towed car is not perfectly aligned with your RV, you will still be able to make the necessary connections. To achieve this, the StowMaster has stainless steel, telescopic inner arms that adjust independently. In addition, 1 of these arms is able to pivot in and out, changing the spread. So, if your car is angled a bit behind your RV, you'll still be able to hook up by bringing the arms closer together and staggering the length so that 1 arm is longer than the other, allowing it to reach the more distant base plate.

The fact that the arms are extra-long also allows for a better turning radius. By putting more distance between your motorhome and your towed car, your entire setup will become easier to maneuver so that your towed car will track behind your motorhome without running the risk of hitting your RV during turns.

The Autowlok mechanism features a spring-loaded pin that locks the telescoping arms into place for towing. Once the tow bar is connected to both your RV and to the base plates on your towed vehicle, simply drive the RV forward until the tow bar arms fully extend, at which point they will automatically lock into place.

Once you've reached your destination and you're ready to unhook your vehicle, press the release button to disengage the spring-loaded pin. The arms will be able to telescope again, making it easier to disconnect. However, if you're on uneven terrain, or if your towed vehicle is not perfectly aligned behind your RV, chances are you'll experience tow bar binding. This is the result of tension that can build up in the telescoping arm, and it can make it difficult to disconnect your vehicle. Using a release tool (RM-066 - sold separately) will give you the leverage necessary to disconnect.

The internal self-lubricating nylon bushings help to absorb road shock and reduce wear and tear on the tow bar by eliminating friction between the inner and outer arms as they telescope in and out. Inside each arm, a built-in safety strap provides extra peace of mind by ensuring that the inner and outer arms won't separate in the event of a latch failure.

Quick-Disconnects

Standard on most Roadmaster tow bars, quick-disconnects make it a snap to attach the tow bar to your vehicle. Other methods require you to maneuver each tow bar arm individually and perfectly line up tabs on the arms with tabs on your base plates. Roadmaster's unique design lets you connect and disconnect the tow bar quickly and easily, all by yourself.

The quick-disconnect brackets come in separate pieces. The pieces that are positioned on the ends of each tow bar arm interlock with matching brackets that attach to your Roadmaster base plates. Sandwiched between the tow bar arms is a sturdy crossbar that essentially turns the arms into a single structure. This crossbar allows you to lower the tow bar as a single piece onto the quick-disconnect brackets on your towed car so that you don't have to connect each arm separately. When lowering the tow bar onto the brackets, make sure that the tab on each bracket lines up with the hole in the matching bracket. Then just insert the linch pins through the holes in the tabs on top to secure the brackets together. To remove the tow bar, simply remove the pins and lift the tow bar off of the brackets. These convenient brackets also make it simple to mount any number of Roadmaster accessories, from basic safety cables to the Guardian rock shield.

Superior Testing Ensures Excellent Quality

This StowMaster tow bar has been subjected to rigorous physical and computerized testing to ensure that it meets Roadmaster's exceptionally high standards. Throughout the design process, Finite Elemental Analysis (FEA) is done. Each of these tests display a 3-dimensional image of the tow bar while it is put under thousands of pounds of pressure. Areas of stress in the tow bar can then be located and studied so that those areas can be strengthened. This process is repeated until any weak spots, particularly those found in load-bearing components, are completely removed. The result is a durable, strong, and safe product.

Simple Storage

The StowMaster can easily be folded up and stored on the front of your towed vehicle when not in use. After disconnecting the tow bar from your RV, push the arms of the tow bar together so that they are side by side and fold them up towards the vehicle. There is a collar under the coupler that fits over a vertical post on the crossbar. This secures the tow bar in the stored position on the front of your car.

Guide to Flat Towing

Flat towing your vehicle is much more convenient than using a trailer or a tow dolly. These other options take up much more storage space, leaving you less room both at home and at the campsite. In addition, securing your vehicle to a trailer or tow dolly can be a hassle and more time consuming than hooking up with a tow bar.

There are 5 basic components needed when flat towing a vehicle: a tow bar, a base plate kit, a safety cable set, tow bar wiring, and a supplemental braking system.

The tow bar links your towed car to your motorhome. It attaches to the custom-fit base plates that install on the frame of your towed car. Safety cables ensure that your towed car does not separate from your motorhome in the event that your tow bar becomes detached. Tow bar wiring allows your towed vehicle's signal lights to sync up with your motorhome's tail lights, which is required by law in most states. Finally, the supplemental braking system - also required in most states - brakes your towed car when the brakes in your motorhome are activated, preventing wear on the motorhome and decreasing braking distance for your entire setup.

Tow bar with 2" ball coupler has stainless steel, telescoping arms that automatically lock into place. Large hookup radius allows you to connect without perfectly lining up your vehicle. Quick-disconnects make it easy to attach to base plates.

The hassle-free latches on this hitch-mounted tow bar let you easily release your car, even at a hard angle or on unlevel ground. Stainless steel, telescoping arms and large hookup radius make connecting a snap. Easily folds up to store on your RV.

Lightweight and rustproof aluminum tow bar comes with cables and wiring. Hassle-free latches let you easily release your car, even at a hard angle or on unlevel ground. Large hookup radius makes connecting a snap. Easily folds up to store on your RV.

Order: Tow bar with 2" ball coupler has stainless steel, telescoping arms that automatically lock into place. Large hookup radius allows you to connect without perfectly lining up your vehicle. Quick-disconnects make it easy to attach to base plates.

This product is well made and well engineered. It performs the functions of allowing a reasonable amount of flexibility in coupler/ball alignment, locking into place, smooth vehicle towing and securing into the "stowed" position. Because of my bumper mounted winch, I needed to make some adaptations to the mounting system which the RM-501 accommodated very well. I am very pleased with this purchase.
I will send a couple of installed pictures by seperate email.
488750

If you are thinking of towing a car this is the company to see. Just installed a base plate and tow bar to my Toyota. Took just 2 hours. With the video and instructions, no problems, very easy. Customer support excellent, very helpful. If you don’t think that you can do this install yourself, think again. I would recommend this tow bar, with the telescoping arms connecting to the car is very simple and secure. This is a 5 star product. Thank You
779653

Absolutely love my Roadmaster tow bar from etrailer.com. Easy to hook up and easy to unhook, a great edition to our camping gear!!! Thanks etrailer.com great price and great service!!
749846

- RM-501

by: Bj01/10/2020

It was a tough installation, but we got it installed. The tow bar works well. It takes some strength to attach to a the ball on my RV.
737347

- RM-501

by: Frank07/19/2019

Appears to be a high quality product, that came with good instructions, and all the parts for installation on the base plate already installed on my Honda Fit. This will allow me to flat tow the car behind my class A motor home.
672677

- RM-501

by: Fred w.07/18/2019

Works great for towing your vehicle behind other you powered units.
671776

- RM-501

by: Excellant04/16/2019

Product is easy to install and works great. Can now hookup or unhook tow vehicle from coach or any other tow vehicle in under 10 minutes.
629352

- RM-501

by: Gerald B12/13/2018

I bought the RM baseplate for my jeep because they may an adaptor for the Duncan tow bar. I got the Duncan on craigslist and it looked great. But I didn't know that I needed a DUNCAN quick release kit. It wasn't on it. The RM quick release only attaches the RM Duncan adaptor to the baseplate. So learn from my mistake don't buy a used Duncan unless you are sure you have all the parts. I out $200 for very nice looking hardly used but worthless Duncan tow bar plus the return shipping for the RM 038 and RM 021. The only solution to this was to buy the RM-501 tow bar which is what I should have done in the first place. It is very well made and easy to stow or remove. How much are they getting for scrap metal these days.
590594

- RM-501

by: Rene L.11/13/2018

This tow bar works great, really quick & easy to connect, but it would have been nice if their system would have not allowed me to purchase a tow bar that was incompatible with the connection hardware that I originally bought at the same time...
582630

- RM-501

by: Robert04/07/2018

We use this product to tow our Ford Fusion behind our motor home. Fairly easy to install and everything works as it should
493478

- RM-501

by: Paul10/27/2017

It’s nice the way it closes and can be stored in front of your vehicle until you need it
446700

- RM-501

by: Ralph10/23/2017

Works great, easy to hook up and stow. A little heavy, but knew that going in. Would purchase again.
445437

- RM-501

by: Daryll V09/10/2017

Love this towbar. By myself, I can hook up to my motorhome and be ready to hit the road in 10 minutes .
430876

Excellent product that was easy to install with good instructions.
417074

- RM-501

by: Vina D.07/17/2017

We ordered three separate items from etrailer, all were received as promised. We ordered the StowMaster 5000 by Roadmaster because we had one before but sold it with the vehicle when we purchased our new Jeep for towing behind our motorhome.. They are easily used by seniors and like that they are foldable for cruising.
406943

- RM-501

by: Ray05/10/2017

Well packaged and nice quality 378784

- RM-501

by: Andw W.02/18/2017

Bought this from Etrailer with all the supporting hardware needed to flat tow my Durango. The quality is excellent (stainless steel, very strong), the install was pretty easy. Only issues I had were because of the are of my vehicle.
Towing with it and hooking up is simple. It takes only a minute to go from stowed to hooked up. Etrailer.com was easy to deal with, helpful, and shipping was very fast. This is my second order with them, both have been flawless. Their pricing also proved to be the lowest.
343180

This is a premium quality item. Very well made from heavy materials. I'm still installing the baseplate so I haven't use the tow bar yet but as soon as I took it out of the box, there is no question it's a quality product. I'll review again after my first tow.
There was a slight problem with my delivery in that I didn't receive the "vehicle side" hardware. I contacted etrailer.com and they are sending it out immediately. Really good customer service!
335320

- RM-501

by: John M01/14/2017

Very easy to install and use. Very fast shipping. Don't forget to order safety cables along with the tow bar.
332442

Comments

All of the products have been very useful and performed perfectly.

John M - 01/14/2018

32973

- RM-501

by: Robert J. Letellier, Sr11/15/2016

I was very pleased with the products I ordered from you. I was also extremely pleased with the professionalism, informative, friendly and helpful young lady that took my order. Her name is Katie. Everyone else I dealt with was also very good and knowledgeable. My order was, Tow Bar, Base Plate, Rear Trailer Hitch, Light Bulb, Wiring Kit and other accessories. Everything fit perfectly. Thanks for all of your help.
316853

Ask the Experts about this Roadmaster Tow Bar

I do have an option for you but there are no adapters available for the Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar part # RM-501 because this is a tow vehicle mounted tow bar and said adapters will only work with motorhome mounted tow bars. Therefore, your only option will be to sell your Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar and then obtain one that is specially made for either the Demco Tabless Base Plate Kit part # DM9519336 for Overland, Sport, Sport S models and part # DM9519339 for Rubicon models or the...view full answer...

The Roadmaster base plate kit part # RM-52357-5 that you referenced is the correct base plate kit for your 2017 Nissan Versa and will fit with the Roadmaster Stowmaster # RM-501. You might be seeing reviews that are listed as "similar products" which basically means a Roadmaster base plate kit for a Wrangler. The # RM-52357-5 for sure fits your Versa though.
For safety cables you can use # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.
For lighting you can use...view full answer...

According to Roadmaster, the # RM-521453-4 base plate kit will install using existing holes, but if the vehicle has a metal or plastic splash shield under the bumper, some trimming will need to be done using a die grinder/Dremel type-tool. I've linked the installation instructions for you to look over and see if the install is something you'd feel comfortable attempting. These base plates are compatible with the Roadmaster Stowmaster tow bar.
For safety cables, I'd recommend the # RM-643...view full answer...

The reason that the StowMaster # RM-501 is not compatible with EZ5 base plate kits like part # RM-524438-5 for your 2018 Ford Fiesta is because the quick-disconnect is permanently attached to the tow bar.
I spoke with my contact at Roadmaster who said that the only tow bars that are compatible with the EZ5 kits are the ones that mount inside the hitch receiver like the Falcon 2 # RM-520.
If you already have the StowMaster and you need a base plate kit for your Fiesta then you can...view full answer...

For your 1996 Suzuki X-90 I recommend the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit # 118-16. Unlike the Blue Ox base plate kit that is also confirmed to fit your vehicle, this particular kit features removable drawbars that allow for a clean look when you aren't towing. All of the mounting hardware is included for a simple installation that doesn't require any welding. I have attached the written instructions that you can check out as well.
Then for a compatible tow bar I recommend the Roadmaster...view full answer...

A 2015 Dodge Dart 2.0L Automatic is not towable without a trailer. It cannot be towed using a tow dolly either. The good news is if you get the manual transmission instead of the automatic it will be flat towable behind a RV. If you go that route, I recommend the following parts:
Roadmaster EZ2 Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # RM-52294-1
Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar - 6,000 lbs # RM-520
Coiled Safety Cables # RM-643
Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267
(Note:Some...view full answer...

I am guessing that you meant you have a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 as opposed to XR2. To tow your ZR2 with your StowMaster Tow Bar # RM-501 you will simply need the Base Plate Kit # RM-523182-4. I have attached an installation video for you to check out as well.
For a complete flat towing setup you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, vehicle tow bar wiring, a supplemental braking system, and possibly a high-low adapter. If you do not have all of these components just...view full answer...

That depends on the vehicle, but most vehicles only require putting the key ignition into the ACC position to unlock the steering wheel so that it can be flat towed. If you check the owners manual of your vehicle this would be covered under the recreational towing section.view full answer...

Tow bars from RoadMaster and Blue Ox, such as the RoadMaster StowMaster # RM-501, are designed to mate directly to base plates from the same manufacturer. Base plates usually mount to the vehicle frame. There are adapters available to use a tow bar from one company with base plates from another, but this arrangement costs more and increases the complexity and the amount of play in the set-up. Also, not every possible parts combination is covered by the available adapters.
Jeep Wranglers...view full answer...

If you wanted to use the Roadmaster Stowmaster Tow Bar part # RM-501 to flat tow your 2010 Jeep Wrangler you certainly could. It would be just a matter of installing the correct base plate kit on your vehicle. For that you would want the Roadmaster EZ4 base plate kit part # RM-521448-4 which is a confirmed fit.
For safety cables you can use # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.
For lighting you can use the diode kit, # RM-15267, and not have to worry...view full answer...

The correct cover for your Roadmaster StowMaster 5000 Tow Bar is the Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar Cover part # RM-052-3. There is no difference between the Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar part # RM-501 and the Roadmaster StowMaster 5000 Tow Bar that you have.view full answer...

Your Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar # RM-501 can be used with your 2009 Honda CR-V by addition of compatible base plates on the Honda. We offer the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit, part # RM-521559-4, which features no-welding installation using included hardware, and removable arms to allow your CR-V to retain most of its normal appearance when not being flat towed. These base plates are compatible with all Roadmaster tow bars.
Flat towing requires a number of components besides the tow...view full answer...

For your older model Roadmaster Stowmaster the correct rebuild kit is the part # RM-910003-10. This comes with all new replacements for the components of your tow bar that tend to wear over time.
The price is available at the attached product link.view full answer...

Typically to get the steering wheel of a vehicle with a push button start to unlock you need to press the start button without your foot on the brake. That will move the "key" to the ACC position which will unlock the steering wheel. Since your foot isn't on the brake it won't start the vehicle.view full answer...

Before you begin flat towing your new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, you will want to verify a few things first. If your vehicle has a 1.4 Liter engine and an automatic transmission, then it cannot be flat towed and must be towed using a tow dolly, like part # RM-2000-1. If it has a 1.4L engine and a manual transmission, or has a 1.8L engine and is automatic or manual, then you can flat tow your vehicle.
The items that you will need to flat tow your vehicle are a tow bar, base plate kit, wiring...view full answer...

For a base plate kit confirmed to fit your 2014 Chevy Spark that would also work with the tow bar part # RM-501 that you referenced you would want the part # 523174-1. This base plate has been confirmed to work with all Roadmaster tow bars.
In addition to the base plates and tow bar, you will also need safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. For safety cables you can use # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.
For...view full answer...

You want the steering wheel to be unlocked on a vehicle being flat-towed. Otherwise the front wheels of the towed vehicle would scrub around corners. Unlocking the front wheels allows the towed vehicle to turn and follow the tow vehicle as it is being towed.view full answer...

The Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar - Car Mount - 2" Ball - 6,000 lbs # RM-501 weighs 57 lbs. That is including the hardware and plates that connect to your base plates, so it will be closer to 50 lbs when you disconnect it.view full answer...

the first thing you will want to do is consult the vehicle owners manual to determine the proper towing procedure for your 2001 Honda Accord. From what I could find, the vehicle can be flat towed but has not been formally tested.
To flat tow a vehicle you will need base plates, a tow bars, safety cables, a lighting solution, and supplemental braking.
First, you can use base plates # 1545-1. The base plates provide a safe and secure attachment point for the tow bar. For a compatible...view full answer...

The RoadMaster StowMaster # RM-501 that you referenced is designed to attach to Roadmaster EZ, XL and Standard base plate kits. If you have one of those base plate kits on your 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara then you would be good to go. If not you would need one, I would recommend the Roadmaster XL Base Plate kit part # 1011-3.
For safety cables you can use # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.
For lighting you can use the bulb and socket kit, # RM-155, and...view full answer...

What you are currently doing is the best way to prevent rust. Unfortunately rust is sometimes pretty persistent. If you can sand the metal so that it stays off of the bars and then use the dry lubricant you would be best off.
Using a cover like part # RM-052 would also help prevent rust. Removing the tow bars from the vehicle when not in use will help as well.
We are located in Wentzville, MO.view full answer...

The base plate fits we have for your 1997 Ford Ranger are shown on the linked page and these include the Roadmaster kit # 435-3. These base plates are compatible with the StowMaster Tow Bar # RM-501. You may care to refer to the linked article that covers the essentials of flat towing.view full answer...

You can prevent the battery from draining by unhooking the positive battery cable from the battery.
This can be done by using a battery quick-disconnect like part # DW05312. You would switch the key to the on position so you can unlock the steering wheel and then use the # DW05312 without draining the battery.view full answer...

To repair the locking pin on your Stowmaster tow bar I recommend the Repair Kit, part # RM-910003-10.
This kit includes 2 pins, 2 springs, 2 new buttons, 2 new bushings, and instructions, which is enough to repair the locking pin on each side.view full answer...

To answer your first question yes, the Base Plate kit part # 523163-1 that you referenced is compatible with the Roadmaster Tow Bar part # RM-501.
Also, the # RM-501 does come with quick disconnects.view full answer...

For replacement parts on your Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar # RM-501 we have # RM-910003-20 for the complete kit and # RM-910012-00 for the support bar.
Use # RM-222 for the vehicle side quick disconnects if you need them as well.view full answer...

The Roadmaster Stowmaster tow bar part # RM-501 has a 6k weight capacity so it would work to tow your 2016 Ford F-150 as the weights I looked up for it are between 4 and 5.2k.
For a base plate kit you would need to go with a new one since a kit from a Chevy truck would not fit. You would have to use the XL kit part # RM-524431-5 as that is what's compatible with your truck and the tow bar. If you were in need of safety cables you would then also need the part # RM-643 which are coiled.
For...view full answer...

Neither Roadmaster nor Blue Ox have a frame mounted base plate option for your 1980 Jeep CJ-7, but there is a bolt-on base plate bracket kit, part # BX88230 which will require that the bumper be modified and strengthened in order to use the brackets. The tow bar includes the necessary safety cables.
You'll need to use a tow bar that's compatible with the Blue Ox brackets, so the Stowmaster # RM-501 you referenced wouldn't be a good choice. I'd recommend going with the Blue Ox Acclaim,...view full answer...

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